Toulon grind past Perpignan

Five penalties from Jonny Wilkinson proved enough for Toulon to claim a 15-9 win over Perpignan at Stade Felix Mayol on Friday.

Five penalties from Jonny Wilkinson proved enough for Toulon to claim a 15-9 win over Perpignan at Stade Felix Mayol on Friday.

Toulon were jeered off the pitch even though the result moves the European champions clear at the summit of the Top 14 standings. The lack of the expected bonus point means that Montpellier, Clermont and Toulouse are all within striking distance.

Perpignan on the other hand will be delighted by their losing bonus point, snatched despite conceding three yellow cards and missing a number of first-choice players due to international call ups.

Wilkinson kicked three penalties to give Toulon a 9-3 lead at the end of a first half characterised by USAP's brave defence and multiple handing errors from the hosts.

Even when the Catalans were reduced to 13 men for eight minutes- after David Marty's rush of blood to the head, followed quickly by Nicolas Durand sin-binned for a cynical infringement - the European champions were unable to break down their visitors' resolute defence.

Wilkinson added two more three pointers after the break to give Toulon breathing space but despite a third yellow card for Perpignan, this time to Guillaume Vilaceca, it was they who scored next, before Ecochard added a bonus-point clinching third kick in the 76th minute.

Clermont will look to take over top spot when they host erratic Racing-Metro at the Marcel Michelin stadium on Saturday although free-scoring Toulouse will also expect to take maximum points against newly-promoted Oyonnax.